Accessories - Housewares - Finishing Touches - Popcorn ceiling

What is the best way to clean a popcorn ceiling. Two years ago my wall were painted yellow, but the painter left the ceilings alone --they are off white, but starting to look grey and dirty. What canI do to clean them without losing the "popcorn."

Popcorn ceilings are very fragile and can not be cleaned. Vacuuming or dusting with a brush is about all one can do. Many of the older popcorn ceilings contained asbestos. Popcorn ceilings can however be painted (very carefully) with latex paint and a roller for rough textured surfaces.

Unfortunately, Twelvepole is correct. There isn't much to be done about popcorn ceilings if you want to keep them than to give them a fresh coat of paint. You can use a roller, or if you have access to one, a sprayer. Paint sprayers work wonders on a popcorn ceiling, since you don't have to worry about getting dust from the ceiling in the air. The coverage is also great because there is no physical brush contact needing to happen. It will also cut your application time dramatically - although they do take a little getting used to. Anyone who has used one (or any Home Depot paint department) will be able to show you the ups and downs of using one.
I always suggest you use a disposable dropcloth if you do choose to paint. That way you can roll it up and throw it away - which will keep pieces of your ceiling from getting ground into carpet or on floors.
In the case that you may have asbestos popcorn, painting can be a good thing to do. You will have less dust from the popcorn, which would also contain asbestos particles.

Always wear a dust mask when working with this material to prevent inhalation.

You can always remove the popcorn and re-apply a new popcorn spray to your ceilings. If you're ambitious!! There are several steps to doing that, and it is time consuming. But possible.

Hi Chelle:

Thank you for the very thorough response. I will look for a sprayer at Home Depot and get to work!

JojoB

You're welcome.

Always glad to be of assistance.

If you have any further questions, let me know - and let me know how the painting goes... :)